Sport

MOTORSPORT: Plato breaks Donington record

Oxford's Jason Plato set a sensational lap record as he shared the honours with MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save teammate Sam Tordoff in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship second round at Donington Park.

Two-time champion Plato took a phenomenal pole position in his MG6, shaving more than six-tenths of a second off the previous lap record, and he duly delivered with victory in the opening race, just ahead of Tordoff.

It was a role-reversal in race two with Tordoff jumping Plato as the 31 cars roared into Redgate corner for the first time.

While the front two remained in command of the contest – Tordoff winning by a second – there was complete bedlam behind them.

BTCC legend Alain Menu’s VW went out of control at high speed.

The car speared back across the racetrack with a gaggle of cars approaching, but luckily came to rest in the gravel trap.

Plato could only finish sixth in the final race, behind winner, Gordon Shedden in his Honda.

Jordan and Plato are joint top of the drivers’ standings with Shedden a point further back.

The series now moves on to Thruxton on May 3-4.

BANBURY’S Sam Brabham, climbed a step further up the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford Championship podium with a storming second place in round four at Donington Park.

The 19-year-old was half-a-second behind Jayde Kruger.

CHIPPING Norton’s Fergus Walkinshaw had a highest place finish of seventh in the last of three races in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 Supercup at Donington Park.

He was 14th in race one, before crossing the line in 11th in the next.